Megan Rapinoe celebrates at the CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Final on Feb. 9, 2020 in Carson, Calif.
The four Team USA athletes named to the annual TIME 100 list of the world’s most influential people have already conquered their respective sports.
It’s what they’re doing with the rest of their lives that earned them the honor of making the list.
Olympic gold medalists Allyson Felix, Maya Moore, Megan Rapinoe and Dwyane Wade were all honored by Wednesday by the magazine, which divides its list into five categories of influential people: Pioneers, Artists, Leaders, Titans and Icons.
Felix, a six-time Olympic gold medalist in track and field, was honored as an Icon. Felix became a vocal advocate against pregnancy discrimination, an issue that affects women from all walks of life, when she called out inequities from her former sponsor, Nike, about reductions in pay based on performance in the aftermath of giving birth. Felix, who became a mother in November 2018, was instrumental in Nike changing its policies and removing said reductions, helping to support new mothers.
Moore, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in basketball, was honored as Pioneer. Moore walked away from her decorated basketball career last year and has devoted her time to criminal justice reform. Moore specifically was involved in helping overturn the wrongful conviction of Jonathan Irons, who had spent more than 20 years in prison before being freed this year. In further happy news, Irons and Moore fell in love over the course of their relationship and got married this summer.
Rapinoe, an Olympic gold medalist in soccer, was honored as an Icon. There were few more iconic images of 2019 than Rapinoe celebrating a goal at the FIFA Women’s World Cup with her arms stretched wide, taking in the glory of the moment. Off the field, Rapinoe has also been an advocate for gender pay equality, LGBTQ rights and racial justice. Rapinoe was one of the first athletes to follow Colin Kaepernick in taking a knee during the national anthem to protest racial injustice.
Wade, an Olympic gold medalist in basketball, was honored as a Titan. Now retired from basketball, Wade has been even more active in social justice and philanthropy, which he also took part in during his playing days. Wade and his wife Gabrielle Union, who was also named to the TIME 100, have also set an example for parents of transgender children with their public support of their daughter Zaya and their embrace of her identity.
